Job Discussion Forums

myvoicehurts · Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 2

Hi,

I just recently finished a two year stint in Japan working as a JET. Of course, I did not have TEFL certification, but now I am interested in teaching abroad on a somewhat permanent basis. However, I have received some information here and there about the right place to get certification.

Some say getting a Masters in TEFL is necessary, while others say you can get certification online, which is respected and credible in other countries (i.e. http://icalweb.com/cms/index.php/tefl-certificate). Is this true? Will I have trouble getting work with a TEFL certificate? Is this worth my time and money? Or should I rather go for a Masters?

I should also note that I have an extremely strong, and attractive academic record, and was in good standing with JET. Also, will my experience with JET affect my future career in TEFL?

As a little side note--does anyone happen to know if there's work for TEFL in Cleveland? Preferably salaried. Thanks so much in advance!

Harvey · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 39

Preferably salaried??????

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

No, an online certification is 1. not recognised by many reputable employers worldwide because they, by definition, do not include supervised teaching practice with feedback from experienced teacher trainers (considered key in many regions) and 2. not equivalent in any way to a Master's degree!! How could 100 hours +/- be equivalent in any way to a legitimate post grad qualification?

As to the job market in the US, others will know better, but I believe you will need the on-site cert to get a toe in the door (CELTA or equivalent), and MA to get ahead in terms of career - or possibly teaching credentials in a regular public school.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

perfectweapon · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:33 pm Post subject:

Spiral78 I agree with what you have stated, and I read another post that said that if it is a long distance degree from a respected university then it is recognized around the world. I can not see this being true.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

A distance MA is not the same as an online basic cert.

Many of the most reputable universities in the field (Surrey, Leicester, Birmingham, Edinborough UK, MacQuarie Australia, New School, NYC) offer distance masters in Applied Linguistics or TESL/TEFL. Apologies for misspelling the school in Australia - I never can seem to remember exactly and am too lazy to look it up Embarassed

These are stringently accessed through extensive required research and writing tasks, and have the benefit of allowing a student to apply theory to practice in the course of his/her studies, and to evaluate it along the way. It's referred to as a 'research' MA in some circles, I believe.

I've got one from UBirmingham, and it's recognised in Canada and in at least 4 European countries outside of the UK that I know of. I am not sure about the Middle East. When I was on the programme, there were also students on the course from Saudi Arabia, so I presume it would be recognised there, as they were current university instructors in the country. I am sure that this one is recognised in Japan and S. Korea - I know many people working there who have the same distance degree as I have.

The distinction between a distance MA and a basic cert is huge, though - the one is a 100+/- hour course, at the end of which the trainee should (or should not) get some sort of 'stamp of approval.' I have argued that it's impossible to judge how someone will function in a classroom after such a short time without at least spending the 100 hours observing him/her.

In any case, the market drives the decision - online newbie certs simply aren't accepted in many regions, regardless of arguments as to their credibility.

Harvey · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 39

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Since the OP mentions Cleveland, I'm assuming they are looking for permanent work in the US. OP, are you looking for permanent work in TEFL or TESL? The world "salary" suggests something other than an irregular part-time job - in that case, in North America, an MA (for adults) or a teaching certificate (for children and youth) really is a must!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

A distance learning MA will not let you judge how someone functions in the classroom either.

'Harvey,' you're wrong. The classroom based research whiich forms the basis of the required papers on such a course does indeed, very much, indicate both in what ways and how well a teacher functions in a classroom. Clearly, you haven't had much experience with written evaluation of classroom based research.

Harvey · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 39

Not at all. It is quite simple to choose modules that require no classroom research.

perfectweapon · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:04 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info guys, but I still don�t think that on-line degrees and long distance are the same as going to university. As I haven�t got any experience dealing with any of the two I have to rely on what I am told by more experienced people. I remember my university time the first time around, and it was hard. Doing part-time jobs, not getting to bed until the small hours of the morning etc. The second time was good for I had just spent 5 years in Saudi, so I had saved a lot of money and I went back to university for my second degree. This time it was easier as I used the money from Saudi to pay for everything.

myvoicehurts · Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 2

Hat's off to you folks. This is a wealth of information, and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, thank you.

I also wanted to ask about teaching licensure. If an American is licensed to teach in their state of residence, is this a significant plus for teaching abroad? Does the focus of the licensure matter (i.e. English vs Social Studies)? How is this viewed vs. an MA in TEFL? Equal or less?

Also, I would ultimately like to return to Asia. Japan's an option, but I think I would like to try South Korea, or maybe even Singapore. I realize it might be more of an issue in Singapore, because it's English speaking, but, again, would licensure in the States help me find a position?

Thanks again for letting me pick your brains.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

If you get licensed in the US and you get a couple of years of experience there before heading abroad again, you can apply to international schools (to teach the subject matter, not EFL). Those jobs are generally considered better than standard language school jobs, but university EFL jobs are also better. So getting a credential vs. getting an MA really isn't an issue of which one is better, but rather of what/who you want to teach. International schools will typically have you teaching high school (or younger?)-aged expat kids, while universities will have you teaching language skills to local university-aged kids.

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